Machine setup by scanning a configuration sheet

Abstract

A method, system, and computer program for configuring a device provides the capability for a user to easily enter complex configuration settings by scanning sheets or documents having information defining the configuration settings into the device. A method for configuring a device comprises imaging a document, extracting configuration data from the imaged document, and setting configuration parameters of the device using the extracted configuration data.

1. A method for configuring a device, comprising:
 imaging a document using a scanner of the device; 
 extracting configuration parameters from the imaged document using a controller of the device; 
 setting configuration parameters of the device using the extracted configuration parameters using the controller of the device, wherein the extracted configuration parameters represents a script to request a sequence of device operations to set-up the device to a known state for operation by a user and includes network configuration settings, time out settings, file server destinations, fax telephone numbers, predefined job selection, predefined job definition, account setup information, usage information, paper tray settings, and installed options of the device; and 
 generating a report that indicates a success or a failure of the setting of configuration parameters using the controller of the device. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the device is photocopier, a xerographic photocopier, a scanner, a printer, a xerographic printer, a fax machine, a xerographic fax machine, a multi-function device, or a xerographic multi-function device. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the document comprises a single sheet. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the document comprises a plurality of sheets. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the configuration data on the document is encoded using at least one of a one-dimensional barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, text, and spatial indicia. 
     
     
       6. A device comprising:
 an imaging apparatus operable to image a document; 
 an apparatus operable to extract configuration parameters from the imaged document; 
 an apparatus operable to set configuration parameters of the device using the extracted configuration parameters, wherein the extracted configuration parameters represents a script to request a sequence of device operations to set-up the machine to a known state for operation by a user and include network configuration settings, time out settings, file server destinations, fax telephone numbers, predefined job selection, predefined job definition, account setup information, usage information, paper tray settings, and installed options of the device; and 
 an apparatus operable to generate a report that indicates a success or a failure of the setting of configuration parameters. 
 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 6 , wherein the device is photocopier, a xerographic photocopier, a scanner, a printer, a xerographic printer, a fax machine, a xerographic fax machine, a multi-function device, or a xerographic multi-function device. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 7 , wherein the imaging apparatus comprises a scanner. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 6 , wherein the document comprises a single sheet. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 6 , wherein the document comprises a plurality of sheets. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 6 , wherein the configuration data on the document is encoded using at least one of a one-dimensional barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, text, and spatial indicia. 
     
     
       12. A computer readable medium storing a computer program for configuring a device comprising:
 a computer readable medium; 
 computer program instructions, recorded on the computer readable medium, executable by a processor, for performing the steps of: 
 imaging a document; 
 extracting configuration parameters from the imaged document; 
 setting configuration parameters of the device using the extracted configuration parameters, wherein the extracted configuration parameters represents a script to request a sequence of device operations to set-up the machine to a known state for operation by a user and include network configuration settings, time out settings, file server destinations, fax telephone numbers, predefined job selection, predefined job definition, account setup information, usage information, paper tray settings, and installed options of the device; and 
 generating a report that indicates a success or a failure of the setting of configuration parameters. 
 
     
     
       13. The computer readable medium of  claim 12 , wherein the device is a photocopier, a xerographic photocopier, a scanner, a printer, a xerographic printer, a fax machine, a xerographic fax machine, a multi-function device, or a xerographic multi-function device. 
     
     
       14. The computer readable medium of  claim 13 , wherein the document is imaged using a scanner component of the device. 
     
     
       15. The computer readable medium of  claim 12 , wherein the document comprises a single sheet. 
     
     
       16. The computer readable medium of  claim 12 , wherein the document comprises a plurality of sheets. 
     
     
       17. The computer readable medium of  claim 12 , wherein the configuration data on the document is encoded using at least one of a one-dimensional barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, text, and spatial indicia.